We’ve been moving along rather nicely in our H-studies.  Last time we talked about centering our ero-power. This will come in handy because our next topic will be both physically and mentally challenging. In battle the only way to survive is to keep your head about you.

Enemies:

You need an enemy.

There absolutely has to be someone that can oppose you in all things. It must be a rival, a nemesis, that can beat you. Not all the time, though. You must find an enemy that will push you to grow further when you are defeated, and someone that will not back down when you are wallowing in your inevitable victories.

Finding an enemy:

All great powers have equally great enemies. Honestly, without great enemies, great powers are only half as great. Superman has Lex Luthor. Batman has the Joker. Tom has Jerry. The United States had the Soviet Union. The list goes on and on.

You’ll note that my list is somewhat lacking in anime characters. The problem with anime characters is that, individually, they are usually their own worst enemies.  This is actually closer to reality. It is usually our own self-doubts and fears that oppose us. Those are usually the hardest hurdles to cross.

But, saying your foe is yourself is a cop-out. How are you supposed to aspire to great H-ness without a viable archenemy? You aren’t, that’s how. You need somebody to push you along the path of overcoming those internal struggles. That’s the purpose of a arch-rival.

It’s not as easy as it seems to find and keep a nemesis. Here are some rules:

1. You don’t have to hate them, but it helps.
2. Opposites attract, but similarities conflict more.
3. Don’t win too often, let them win sometimes, too.
4. Don’t lose too often, fight dirty if you must.

It may be a good idea to put up some ads in the classified section of your newspaper or on some match making websites. You can also put up an archenemy application form on your blog.

Combat:

You don’t take your archenemy out for a Sunday brunch. Well, that is, unless you are planning to defeat them in an epic all you can eat tea and cakes battle (actually, that’s a pretty good idea).

Not everyone will fight their enemy in a one-on-one physical conflict. Some will face their opposition in a battle of wits. How you fight is not as important as the interaction.

In any case, fighting with your enemy is the only interaction you should have with them. This is important, because if you start to get to know your enemy, you may find out that they are driven my the same things that drive you. You may find that they are only superficially different from you.

You may like them. We can’t have that.

Winning:

Most people will say that winning “gracefully” is the proper way to win. It’s just good manners.

However, that’s just not fun. If you win, rub it in. Pour a little salt on the wound. Do a little victory dance.

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That reminds me, I need to practice my victory dance. More How to H next week.